Andy Powell is hoping that he will be recalled to the Welsh squad for Saturday week's Six Nations clash with Ireland in Cardiff.

The London Wasps No.8 was forced off with a shoulder injury just 33 minutes into his country's Championship opener against England. Wales have since racked up wins over Scotland and Italy, with Ryan Jones, Powell's replacement, Dan Lydiate and Sam Warburton gelling nicely as a back-row trio in his absence.

Powell, though, made his return to competitive action with Wasps against Saracens at the weekend and while he is aware that he is unlikely to now walk straight back into the Welsh starting line-up for the visit of Ireland, he is hoping to play some part in the game.

"In fairness to the boys, the back row has been going well," Powell is quoted as saying by the South Wales Echo. "It makes my job a lot harder to come back, but it also brings the best out of me. I always back my ability and I know what I can do.

"I played the full game against Saracens at the weekend and hopefully I will get another 80 minutes under my belt at home to Sale on Sunday now. Then hopefully I will get a place on the bench against Ireland.

"It's a case of getting back to Wasps and playing well and going from there. For me now, it's just about trying to get myself back into that Welsh 22."